Giannis Antetokounmpo Pursued Timberwolves Pairing With Edwards Before Heat Trade

Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed serious interest in joining the Minnesota Timberwolves and forming a long-term partnership with Anthony Edwards before ultimately being traded to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal completed hours before the 2026 NBA draft. Back-channel negotiations between Giannis and the Timberwolves began as early as February 2026, establishing Minnesota as one of three legitimate destinations alongside Boston and Miami where the two-time MVP was open to signing an extension.

The Timberwolves emerged as a genuine contender for Antetokounmpo, with NBA insiders reporting that the prospect of pairing with Edwards held strong appeal for the 31-year-old star. However, Minnesota ultimately fell short of Milwaukee's astronomical trade demands. The Bucks insisted on acquiring Jaden McDaniels, the Wolves' defensive cornerstone, as a baseline requirement—a condition Minnesota refused to accept. Additionally, the two teams could not establish definitive alignment on a long-term extension, leaving the Timberwolves unable to close the gap.

The Miami Heat prevailed in the competition for Antetokounmpo's services, offering a significantly more attractive package than Minnesota could assemble. Miami's deal included four players—Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and rookie guard Kasparas Jakučionis—along with three unprotected first-round picks, one pick swap, and additional second-round compensation. The Heat also included veteran forward Bobby Portis to balance roster spots and financial requirements. By contrast, Minnesota's available trade assets, which included Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert, held limited appeal for a rebuilding Bucks organization.

Giannis currently carries a $58.4 million contract for the 2026-27 season and holds a $62.7 million player option for 2027-28. The absence of a long-term extension commitment proved critical in Minnesota's inability to secure the deal. Following their unsuccessful pursuit, the Timberwolves quickly pivoted, trading Randle to the Brooklyn Nets and later signing guard Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million extension while creating a $33.3 million trade exception.

The Heat's victory over Boston, which aggressively pushed for a deal centered on 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, signals Miami's commitment to immediate championship contention under president Pat Riley. However, analysts question whether the Heat have truly become instant title favorites given Antetokounmpo's recent injury struggles—he played only 36 games last season while averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. The Eastern Conference remains highly competitive, featuring the defending champion New York Knicks, Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.